Endodontians

Endodontians is a rarely used term that refers to dental professionals who specialize in endodontics, the branch of dentistry focused on the dental pulp and periapical tissues. In formal practice, the title endodontist is standard, and endodontians may appear in informal writing or as a neologism.

Scope of practice includes the diagnosis and management of pulpal and periapical diseases, non-surgical root canal therapy, retreatment of failed canals, and endodontic microsurgery such as apicoectomy. Endodontians also engage in treatment planning, management of traumatic dental injuries, regenerative endodontics, and pain and infection control related to tooth vitality.

Training and certification typically follow completion of a dental degree, after which endodontists undertake specialized post-graduate training in endodontics. Programs commonly last two to three years and include advanced clinical procedures, radiographic interpretation, and research. In some countries, board certification or formal recognition by a national or regional college or board signifies additional credentials in the specialty.

Techniques and tools emphasize precision and preservation of tooth structure. Practitioners use rubber dam isolation, operating microscopes, ultrasonic tips, and electronic apex locators, along with nickel-titanium rotary instruments and various obturation systems. Imaging, including cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), supports diagnosis and treatment planning.

Regulation and recognition of endodontics as a specialty vary by country, but in many jurisdictions endodontists are recognized as dental specialists who provide both nonsurgical and surgical management of complex endodontic problems, often collaborating with other dental and medical professionals.

See also: Endodontist, Root canal treatment, Dental pulp, Regenerative endodontics.